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. 2010 Apr 24;8(4):357–361. doi: 10.1007/s12663-009-0085-9

Accuracy of intraoperative frozensection in assessing margins in oral cancer resection

S M Sharma 1, B R Prasad 1, Shetty Pushparaj 2, Dharnappa Poojary 1,3,✉
PMCID: PMC3454094  PMID: 23139543

Abstract

Objectives

To study the accuracy of intraoperative frozen section diagnosis in assessing margins in oral cancer resection and to evaluate the role of frozen section diagnosis as a guide in resection of oral cancer lesions.

Patients and methods

The fresh tissue samples from the margins of lesions of patient with preoperative diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma were used. The frozen sections are prepared immediately and examined by oral pathologist for the study. The results of these sections were compared with the results of histologic findings obtained by routine paraffin embedded Haemotoxylin and eosin method.

Results

The total of 184 margins, from 47 patients were examined. 178 margins showed concordance with the permanent section of the same tissue sample (seven false negative and one false positive), an accuracy rate of 96.74%.

Conclusion

Frozen section is a helpful tool in intraoperative decision making in indicated situation. The results are highly specific but only moderately sensitive. The surgeon and the pathologist must understand the limitations of frozen sections.

Keywords: Frozen section, Oral cancer, Tumour resection, Tumour margin

Full Text

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